The Perak Menteri Besar announcing the 2023 Perak Budget totalling RM1.19 billion.

IPOH, 22 December 2022 - The Perak State Government today tabled the 2023 Budget totalling RM1.19 billion, including RM794 million allocated for Operating Expenditure and RM395 million for Development Expenditure.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad said the budget, themed 'Perak Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera’, comprises five main focuses, namely people’s wellbeing, governance of state projects, environmental sustainability, food security and human capital and youth development.

He said from the revenue and expenditure projections, the State Government's Financial Statement for the year ending 31 December 2023 will close with an expected deficit of RM30 million.

Also, the 2023 Budget saw an increase in allocation of RM93 million for development purposes compared to last year, where it will be channeled via people's welfare programmes.

"This increase takes into account the need to spend for the benefit of all the people of Perak.

"It is also due to the commitment to physical projects, including construction, repair and upgrading of various infrastructure and facilities as well as people's welfare programmes," he said when tabling the 2023 Perak Budget at the State Assembly here.

The Menteri Besar added that due to the economic uncertainties still affecting the people, the state government has drawn up various programmes and projects with an allocation of RM373.8 million towards improving the people's wellbeing holistically.

According to him, in order to protect the interests of the B40 target group who are economically squeezed, the state government has increased the funds for the implementation of the Prosperous Perak Card Programme (previously known as Perak Prihatin Card Programme) to RM25.2 million, an increase of RM2.4 million compared to last year.

"The Food Card Assistance rate has been increased from RM80 to RM90 per month for each recipient, while the Health Card remains at the rate of RM150 per year benefiting 20,000 recipients.

"We have not forgotten the importance of knowledge in improving the socioeconomic level of the people; the education agenda will continue to be a priority of the state government with the provision of RM21.4 million for the purpose of educational assistance at various levels of learning.

"Similarly with the upgrading and improvement of infrastructure facilities, one of the main focuses of state development in 2023, an allocation of RM257.5 million for the purpose of governance of state-owned projects," he explained. 

He further said, focusing on aspects of environmental sustainability for the implementation of sustainable development and green technology in line with the agenda at the national and global level, as much as RM162.6 million will be spent.

Likewise with the development of the agricultural sector, RM55 million has been allocated to ensure that the supply of food is sufficient to meet the demands and needs of the population consistently, affordably, nutritiously and of good quality. 

"The state government has also allocated RM21.6 million for Human Capital and Youth Development for the implementation of knowledge and skills programmes based on technology and innovation," he said. 

Meanwhile, through the budget, the state government has announced the granting of a special financial aid of one-and-a-half month's salary or a minimum of RM2,000 to civil servants under the Perak state government administration.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.